Sappho 1

Throned in splendor, deathless, O Aphrodite,
    child of Zeus, charm-fashioner, I entreat you
    not with griefs and bitternesses to break my
        spirit, O goddess;

    standing by me rather, if once before now
    far away you heard, when I called upon you,
    left your father's dwelling place and descended,
        yoking the golden

    chariot to sparrows, who fairly drew you
    down in speed aslant the black world, the bright air
    trembling at the heart to the pulse of countless
        fluttering wingbeats.

    Swiftly then they came, and you, blessed lady,
    smiling on me out of immortal beauty,
    asked me what affliction was on me, why I
        called thus upon you,

    what beyond all else I would have befall my
    tortured heart: "Whom then would you have Persuasion
    force to serve desire in your heart? Who is it,
        Sappho, that hurt you?

    Though she now escape you, she soon will follow;
    though she take not gifts from you, she will give them:
    though she love not, yet she will surely love you
        even unwilling."

    In such guise come even again and set me
    free from doubt and sorrow; accomplish all those
    things my heart desires to be done; appear and
        stand at my shoulder.